CrossSauvage 2020 Year of the Rat Special Edition Translucent Blue Lacquer w/23KT Gold Plated Inlays and Appointments Ballpoint Pen

Update: Help me get my copy of this pen back!My office was burglarized in June 2014 and this pen, among many others, was stolen. I've tracked down the fence who has/had this pen in his possession, but the police are too busy solving "real crime" to bother with writing a warrant and arresting the Oakland, CA resident. He continues to sell off my collection, while the police sit by and watch it happen. If you should come into possession of a copy of this pen already pre-loaded with red ink (Diamine Red Dragon to be precise), please contact me.Original Review:Cross gets little respect in the fountain pen community. Perhaps it's because its products are available in big box retailers, perhaps it is the association with ballpoints, or perhaps because its styles are considered mostly staid, but compared to players like Parker and Pelikan, Cross is a distinct afterthought. The year of the dragon is the first of Cross's Chinese zodiacal special edition pens Cross released. (They subsequently released the years of the snake and horse). Modeled on the Sauvage line, the Dragon, in Chinese red, is a handsome pen. It features a brass body with red translucent lacquer and inscribed images plated in gold. Despite being brass, the weight is very good. The eon is not especially heavy and well balanced whether the cap is posted or not.The nib is solid 18kt gold with a simple, classic double wave pattern inscribed on it. My fine nib writes smoothly and easily with no scratching skipping or any of the other problems sometimes afflicting fountain pens. The display box is also extremely nice, a red and black box with a special inlay for displaying the pen with a little stand. This is a wonderful touch that I've not seen elsewhere.Far from being staid, the shape of the pen is unusual, with a flaired back end and flowing convex arcs in front and back. It is a somewhat unusual design and definitely a departure from the ubiquitous cigar form factor featured on so many fountain pens (especially ones with snowflakes on the crown).Perhaps the best part in all of this is the value of the item. I paid only around $150 for this pen, an amazing prize for a special edition with a solid gold nib. The combination of design, style, function, and price makes this pen an exceptional value. Cross's lagging reputation in fountain pens apparently offers great opportunities for open minded buyers.

I have a modest, yet somewhat amazing pen collection that goes from the modest Crosses to the top Monteblanc solid two-tone gold pen. Sadly, some are just not that practical, but this Cross is. It is not that expensive to keep at home, but it is still a beautiful clean writing pen that one can proudly carry around.Just be careful that no one steals it away. This pen series often may come with the presentation box, which while cool, decays with age...so it is not worth the extra price premium. Some of the ones in this series I bought either from the Amazon Warehouse or on Ebay. They are all nice. I do stick with the Ballpoints and some Roller Balls. The standard Cross pen refills fit fine. Do not get cheap generic refills that can leak and damage these pens. If one knows someone who likes getting gifts that go by the year of the Chinese Horoscope &/or are Asian, these can be treasured for sure. You really cannot go wrong for these pens which typically can run from $100 to $200. While not collectable, they are fun and practical pens. Enjoy!

This Cross "special edition" roller ball is an elegant, high-quality and extremely well-packaged writing instrument that is sure to be a welcomed gift for anyone born during the Chinese Zodiac "Year of the Horse." I bought one for my wife for her birthday, and we liked it so much we immediately ordered another copy in the ballpoint pen version. The etching of the Year of the Goat 3-goat design theme is meticulously done in gold against a black lacquer background. The presentation box includes an acrylic pen stand for desktop display along with a booklet along with a special "Year of the Goat" identification badge. Both the Selectip Roller Ball as well as traditional Ball Point versions write extremely well, although I prefer the Roller Ball model. This is a solid, well-constructed pen that feels good in the hand and is extremely comfortable to use. I'm looking forward to 2023 when hopefully Cross will offer a special commemorative "Year of the Rabbit" edition of this pen!

I love the way the pen looks, but I bought it so I could use it. I just received the pen today and had been trying for a good 30 mins hoping to be able to use it... but there's no ink in the refill. I am not asking for a replacement of the whole pen, but at least send a working refill so I could actually use this pen.

This is by far the most beautiful pen I have ever owned, and I do own a Montblanc from the 1990s (when they were made better) and several Cross and Waterman pens.I'm a year of the dragon baby and when I found out Cross was offering this special pen, I knew I had to have one. I saved my pennies and finally pulled the trigger. I'm so glad I did.First of all, the presentation box is gorgeous and a keepsake in and of itself.The pen is heavy - quite heavy. It took some getting used to writing with it, but now that I'm accustomed to the heft, I love how it feels in my hand.The gold etching is detailed and intricate. You can feel the texture of the engraving. The red lacquer is translucent and underneath you can faintly see a scale pattern, I suppose in keeping with the dragon theme. When the lid is screwed on, the etched dragon's body aligns perfectly.And of course, the roller bal nib writes smoothly and effortlessly, but I suppose that's more a review of the refill than the pen itself.In short, I have no complaints. If this is the sort of thing that appeals to you, go for it now while this special edition is still available.